True Love

Love is such a broad term.  In Greek there are 5 different words for love, in English we have one.  When I was a kid, I went to someone's birthday party and I wrote a little note, and signed it: Love, LaRisa.  The kids there all thought that was so funny.  What I meant was the word "philia" or friendship love, but of course they misinterpreted it to mean "eros" romantic love (feelings).

Society focuses so much on eros.  But True love is so much more than eros. True love is becoming one mind, body, and soul.  It takes work, sacrifice, and commitment.  It takes communication, forgiveness, trust and patience.  True love isn't about being right; but about harmony.  When you have true love you are willing to serve your partner and you have respect for your partner, God, and yourself.  True love builds and lifts- creating synergy, rather than crushes and destroys.  True love is an action word, and when you use it you are always seeking to become better.

When I first met my DH, I didn't love him.  In all honesty I wasn't even interested in him.  I was going to go on a mission.  But God knew that we would make a good relationship, that we would be good companions for each other, and have harmony.  I fully believe that because I followed God's plan for me, I married my DH, and I am blissful! Trusting God in a relationship is key to it's survival.  Every relationship is so unique and different.  But I watch marriages with synergy and they are amazing!:)  I watch relationships that have different dynamics than my own and they are just as successful as mine.  You have to find what works for you and trust in each other and in God.

Recently I have been pondering about arranged marriages.  Picking your spouse seems to be relatively new (18th century).  As I have thought about arranged marriages, I have come to conclude that as long as a man and a woman are willing to serve each other and God, than any marriage can work, even if it doesn't start out with passionate 'eros' love.  

The world places too much emphasis on physical attraction.  But finding your spouse physically attractive is only one part of the equation, and trust me it is not the most important part, it will come.  I wonder if homosexuals stopped focusing on physical attraction what would happen.  God has given men and women separate roles, together they create the  greatest good.  Together they make 1, having 2 similar pieces can work, but there will always be something missing.

True love isn't built in a day or in a look and when you have true love, if you continue to build it, it will grow your whole life and into eternity.  The love I have now for my DH, will be nothing compared to the love I will have for him in 5 years.  The love I have for him now, I couldn't even fathom 5 years ago.  True love is amazing!